U.S.-Iran Conflict Intensifies: Fears of Full-Scale War and New Hormuz Blockade

The ceasefire agreement reached last month between the United States and Iran has effectively collapsed as the two nations engage in a series of retaliatory attacks over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

On July 12 (local time), the U.S. condemned Iran's attacks on commercial vessels and launched large-scale airstrikes that extended beyond the coast of the Strait of Hormuz into western and central Iran.

In retaliation, Iran launched a series of strikes against countries in the Gulf region that maintain security cooperation with the U.S.

As Iran’s declaration of a blockade clashes with the U.S. policy of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments—prospects for the resumption and stabilization of maritime transport have become increasingly uncertain.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it began additional airstrikes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12 (6:00 a.m. KST on July 13) aimed at degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. resumed airstrikes on Iranian military facilities in response to Iran’s attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy near the Strait of Hormuz the previous day, marking the second consecutive day of strikes.

The U.S. has conducted airstrikes against Iran on four separate days over the past week.

In a statement announcing the conclusion of the latest strikes, CENTCOM stated that it utilized fighter jets, naval vessels, one-way attack drones, and, for the first time, one-way attack maritime drones to strike Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone assets, and small boats.

The command asserted, "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime passage for global trade, and Iran does not control it."

Following the U.S. announcement of the attacks, explosions were reported in the Sirik region of southern Iran, the major port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Deyr, and in Bushehr and Asaluyeh, where energy and petrochemical facilities are concentrated.

Iranian media reported that the U.S. airstrikes expanded to central and western regions, far from the Strait of Hormuz.

An official in the southwestern city of Ahvaz stated that two locations in the city were hit, and reports indicated that separate U.S. attacks also occurred in Khondab, located in the central region.

The deputy governor of Khuzestan Province, located at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, said that in addition to Ahvaz, several cities in the province were targeted, including Omidiyeh, Mahshahr, Behbahan, Dezful, Andimeshk, and Abadan.

Iran also responded to the U.S. attacks with retaliation for the second consecutive day.

Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf nations that have security cooperation with the U.S., including Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Qatar and the UAE were targeted for the first time since May, while Oman was attacked shortly after discussing measures to manage the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.

Jordan and Kuwait intercepted incoming Iranian missiles with their air defense systems.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued several statements claiming that it had struck the Prince Hassan Air Base and missile storage facilities in Jordan, the Juffair Naval Base—which serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Fifth Fleet—and the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, U.S. radar and surveillance assets in Oman, the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and the Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait.

The IRGC warned, "The only way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for shipping is to end all military intervention by the U.S. aggressor forces in this strait," and threatened to attack oil and gas facilities in the Gulf region if U.S. intervention continues.

The gap between the two sides regarding the Strait of Hormuz remains wide.

Following its attack on commercial vessels, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz "closed until further notice" and claimed through the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which it established, that "passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently impossible due to the recent illegal movement of U.S. military forces."

In contrast, the U.S. dismissed Iran's blockade claims and vowed to guarantee freedom of navigation.

U.S. Central Command stated, "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz," adding that "the strait is open to all vessels seeking to pass through international waters legally."

U.S. President Donald Trump also said in an interview with NBC, "The Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial shipping."

A U.S. official told American media that approximately 20 commercial vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the previous 24 hours in coordination with the U.S. military, and that some ships had passed without separate U.S. coordination.

However, according to shipping data provider Kpler, only 6 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on this day.

This marks the lowest volume of traffic in the past five weeks.

Iran blamed the U.S. for the conflict and reiterated that control of the strait lies with Iranian authorities.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed, "Such barbaric attacks (by the U.S.) are a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter," adding that "all diplomatic efforts over the past several months to de-escalate tensions and build peace in West Asia have been rendered futile."

The Foreign Ministry condemned the Gulf nations that provide bases to the U.S. military as accomplices in an illegal war, warning that those cooperating with the U.S. or Israel would pay a price.

Following the ceasefire last month, the U.S. and Iran had agreed to 60 days of additional negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and permanently end the war, and the deadline is currently approaching its midpoint.

However, as both sides continue to exchange attacks and retaliation, the ceasefire has effectively collapsed, and the possibility of resuming peace talks has become uncertain.

Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz was a critical energy transport route through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passed.

If the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is prolonged, it is expected to have a significant impact not only on the situation in the Middle East but also on the international energy market and the global economy.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to immediately cease hostilities and de-escalate tensions.

He expressed concern, stating, "A recurrence of full-scale armed conflict would have catastrophic consequences for the region and the global economy."

As uncertainty in the energy market grows, international oil prices have surged again.

As of this day, Brent crude for September delivery is trading at $79.25 per barrel, up 4.26% from the previous trading day, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for August delivery is trading at $74.51, up 4.34%.

(Photo: Provided by President Trump's Truth Social, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.